Apple, the iPod creator, has resolved its dispute with The Beatles' label Apple Corps, leading the way for the group to sell its MP3 players pre-loaded with tunes.
Wired has reported that the agreement - giving Steve Jobs' company rights to the Apple trademark - will drive the iPod to become "the new CD", to be made available with albums or complete catalogues of bands' music.
The group was unable to offer this due to a 15-year contract between itself and Apple Corps, which prevented Apple from acting as a music company and selling "physical media delivering pre-recorded content".
As Apple will now be permitted to load sample tunes on to the iPod, it is speculated that labels may battle to deliver new singles in this format.
Meanwhile, both companies have declined to comment on whether the Fab Four's catalogue of songs will be available any time soon.
© 2006 Adfero Ltd
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